Largest Tarantula found in usa

Sean

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Just wonderin what is the largest tarantula spieces found in the usa, and where is it located
 

bannishg

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This is a question I've been wanting to answer for someone, because it's always re-assuring to know what the "biggest" of "something" is in your home country. I don't care if the question was asked only once, and 8 1/2 years ago!!!

I think that most here will agree that the Aphonopelma Sp. "New River Rust Rump" has the longest legspan of any US native. It is a type locality that is found mostly in the vicinity of New River, AZ, which is about 40 miles north of Phoenix.
It is perhaps the only species in the US where 5+ inch legspans in adults are commonplace. There are documented instances of the species reaching 6 inches, the largest confirmed is 6.25". Still, anything beyond 5.5 inches is pretty rare. There are unconfirmed reportings of this species reaching 7 inches plus, but those claims are likely exaggerated.

Many websites and catalogs state that A. Hentzi/Anax/ Chalcodes can achieve 6 inches, however, these 3 usually max out at 4.5", with a few 5-inchers every once in a while. I could be wrong, though. I still find it remarkable that these T's reach such sizes in our climate. Elsewhere in the world, practically all T's found above the Tropic of Cancer/ below the Tropic of Capricorn are dwarves in the
3" range. The US also has, so far, the northernmost occuring tarantula. A. Iodus, found in the Salt Lake City region, lives as far North as 41°N.


Greg
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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my A anax is 5"+ they max out 6-6.5" mines smaller 5"
the largest centepede S heros is a lot bigger 6-10".. poor spiders prob end up centepede food sometimes
 

Kungfujoe

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Do u guys know what species are found I'n California? I often see them out side of my house..
 

bannishg

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Do u guys know what species are found I'n California? I often see them out side of my house..
As for California T's, there are currently 18 species documented. If you like I can start a new post listing them, and detailing the more recognizable ones.

Greg
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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it would suck to run into S-Heros if your a tarantula.. or the Desert hairy scorp
 

bannishg

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Lest you forget those mean ol' pepsis wasps! It's predation technique represents mother nature at her cruelest. As much as my heart goes out to the victim T, I'm just not a fan of extreme, debilitating pain, so I wouldn't intervene.
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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Yeah a S Hero's would probably tackle & kill a Pepsis wasp... but a tarantula is help..less
 

Kungfujoe

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I actually think this would make an awesome thread...
I already mentioned the age of the thread in the second sentence of my post, guy. I searched "largest us tarantula" and was taken to this thread. Decided to answer it rather than start a new thread.

---------- Post added 11-22-2011 at 05:27 PM ----------



As for California T's, there are currently 18 species documented. If you like I can start a new post listing them, and detailing the more recognizable ones.

Greg
 

k2power

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I didn't know the answer to that question and had seen in the past that A. anax was the largest US species. Now I know different. I learned from it and it is possible that the information presented now would have been different from what was known in 2003 so we have a truly pertinent thread that many people will look at and learn from. I also never knew where the New River area was in AZ. Apparently I have been by it numerous times and didn't know it. I am glad the thread was resurrected as others seem to be as well.
 

BrettG

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Aphonopelma sp."New River" CAN get huge,as mentioned. We have owned a SOLID 6-incher...
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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ill be sure to buy a A sp. new river... then as my next Aphonopelma T!!!!!:biggrin: A Anax is small only 5".. might not be full grown yet though
and A Moderatum !!! cuz colors
 

bannishg

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Has anyone else seen any 6"+ A. Anax, New River etc. ?
 
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Ultum4Spiderz

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nope .. my A Anax is 5" & growing each molt.. molts are spaced apart about 8months -1 year though,... very slow grower.. eats like a Lasiodora though... fatty
wish I had a 6" specimen maybe someday it will be that big
 

LucasNorth

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I wish we had tarantulas in Canada :( I had figured New river Sp would oly get 4", to hear that they get 6 is awesome.
Hopefully global warming isnt just a government conspiracy so eventually we become a tropical rainforest up here.
I wonder what the biggest tarantula that COULD live in the U.S. would be, like the largest imported species which could survive within American borders(in le wild).
 
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